By Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) Words are inadequate to convey my sorrow over the murder of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick who courageously fought the violent mob that stormed the Capitol building on January 6th. This morning I joined his family, law enforcement officers and my congressional colleagues at a solemn ceremony in the US Capitol honoring Officer Sicknick. As a member of the New Jersey National Guard, Officer Sicknick safely deployed during Operation Southern Watch in 1999 and Endu... Read more

Seven Members of Congress introduced the SALT Deductibility Act, bipartisan legislation to restore the full State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. The proposal would allow taxpayers to fully deduct their state and local taxes on their federal income returns. In 2017, the deduction was capped at $10,000 and resulted in a tax increase for many middle-class families. Capping the SALT deduction resulted in double taxation by imposing a tax on taxes already paid. In high cost of living areas, the cap ... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) applauded this week’s announcement that the federal government is sending $216,000,000 to New Jersey to reimburse the state for vaccination efforts against COVID-19. “I greatly welcome this important federal reimbursement to assist New Jersey’s six mega sites in the distribution of vaccines,” said Congressman Smith. “People across New Jersey are eager to move ahead and receive the vaccine,” Smith continued. “We must not let up, but instead redouble our efforts to ensure ... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith halted his Twitter account over security concerns and to help the district and Nation move toward unity during this difficult time. Divisive and hate-filled tweets have become far too frequent and impede the healing so needed today. Congressman Smith continues to receive phone calls and emails from thousands of constituents freely expressing their opinions. His website and Instagram continue to provide the congressman's most recent statements on votes and legislation. Read more

Building on an amendment he wrote in 2004 to create a Special Envoy to combat anti-Semitism, this week Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) successfully pushed enactment of his Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act that expands the authority of the office and elevates the Envoy to that of Ambassador-at-Large, granting the position added clout to fight the rise in worldwide anti-Semitism. “My new law will raise the Special Envoy to the rank of Ambassador-at-large, a high-level position that wi... Read more

By Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) Words are inadequate to convey my sadness, shock and anger over the murder of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick who courageously fought the violent mob that stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday. As a member of the New Jersey National Guard, Mr. Sicknick safely deployed during Operation Southern Watch in 1999 and Enduring Freedom in 2003 only to be killed in the line of duty defending Members of Congress and staff and the Capitol building during a joint ses... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) released the following statement on Wednesday's (Jan. 6) violence on Capitol Hill: I unequivocally condemn the assault on the Capitol Wednesday and those who committed violence, vandalism and other crimes should be prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law. Special thanks to the Capitol Police for their brave and decisive actions to mitigate and then end today’s crisis. Despite its many flaws, the U.S. Congress continues to be an extraordinary marketplace of ideas and ... Read more

Today, at the very last legislative session of the 116th Congress, the House of Representatives passed legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) that would elevate the State Department’s Anti-Semitism Special Envoy position—first created by Smith’s legislative provisions in 2004—to an Ambassadorship, giving more clout to address the alarming rise in anti-Semitism worldwide. As the Senate has already approved the amended legislation, the bill now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signe... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today said: “The increase of COVID-19 relief checks to $2,000 coupled with yesterday’s extension of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), expanded unemployment benefits and other assistance are justified and necessary to assist tens of millions of people devastated by the pandemic and like previous COVID relief packages are a bridge to a post-COVID world.” ### Read more

Kurt Jensen, Catholic News Service – The Catholic bishop of Gboko, Nigeria, and the Knights of Columbus added their voices to a Dec. 17 congressional hearing spotlighting sectarian violence in Nigeria in which thousands of Christians have been killed simply for their faith identity. The hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission was spurred by recent developments: the fatal shooting of 51 peaceful protesters in Lagos Oct. 20; the kidnapping of over 300 schoolboys in Kankara, which govern... Read more